Working Group on Power Line Communications

“Analysis of the in-vehicle power distribution network as a digital transmission medium”, Funded by: Junta de Andalucía. Main researcher: Dr. Francisco Javier Cañete. 2008-2010. show details

“Study, evaluation and development of efficient communication systems over the indoor power line distribution networks”. Funded by the CICYT (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología). Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2003-2005. show details

“Study and evaluation of the indoor power line distribution networks as a high speed data transmission medium”, Funded by the CICYT (Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología). Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2000-2002. hide details

Description

At the time of starting the project, the knowledge of the indoor broadband power-line channel characteristics was quite limited. Hence, the main goals of the project were:

1. The analysis of the power distribution network inside homes and small offices as a mean for broadband digital communications.

2. The development of a channel model and a channel simulator that can be used to generate channels to be employed for the simulation of digital transmission techniques and multiple access control strategies.

3. The analysis of suitable transmission techniques for broadband communications.

Results

At the end of this project:

1. Indoor power line networks were modelled as a network of multiple sections of transmission lines interconnected and terminated in loads of diverse nature.

2. A measurement methodology for the characterization of the loads and the channel response and noise was developed.

3. A channel simulator that provides the channel response and the noise power spectral density (PSD) from the premises layout and the set of connected devices was programmed.

4. The performance of DMT/OFDM was assessed, and the most appropriate values of the number of carriers and the cyclic prefix length were determined.

Details can be found in:

• F. J. Cañete, J. A. Cortés, L. Díez, and J. T. Entrambasaguas, “ Modeling and evaluation of the indoor power line transmission medium,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 41–47, 2003.

• F. J. Cañete, L. Díez, J. A. Cortés, and J. T. Entrambasaguas, “Broadband modelling of indoor power-line channels”, IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 175-183, February 2002.

“Implementation of the physical layer of a network simulator for ARM”. Supporting entity: Atmel Spain. Main researcher: Dr. José Antonio Cortés. 2013-present. confidencial

“Consultancy activities on power line communications”. Supporting entity: Atmel Spain. Main researcher: Dr. José Antonio Cortés. 2013. confidencial

“Field evaluation of new generation power line communications technology for last-hop backhaul in small cell deployment application”. Supporting entity: Vodafone Group. Main researcher: Dr. José Antonio Cortés. 2013. confidencial

“Feasibility study of power line communications for last-hop backhaul in small cell deployment”. Supporting entity: Vodafone Group. Main researcher: Dr. José Antonio Cortés. 2012. under NDA

“Analysis of MIMO Systems for PLC channels”. Supporting entity: Marvell Hispania. Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2011-present. under NDA

“Study of algorithms and architectures to design OFDM systems for PLC”. Supporting Entity: Design of Systems on Silicon (DS2). Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2009 show details

“Comprehensive Communication Channel for PLC”. Supporting Entity: Design of Systems on Silicon (DS2). Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2007-2008. show details

“Prototipo de Solución para la Medición de Patrones de Consumo Eléctrico”. Supporting entity: Mediciones Eléctricas de Andalucía S.L. (Medeland). Main researcher: Dr. Luis Díez del Río. 2007-2008. under NDA